87th Fighter Group

Constituted as 87th Fighter Group on 24 Sep 1943. Activated on 1 Oct 1943. Assigned to First AF. Trained replacement pilots, using P-47's. Disbanded on 10 Apr 1944.

Reconstituted on 16 May 1949 and allotted to the reserve. Activated on 27 Jun 1949. Redesignated 87th Fighter-Escort Group in Mar 1950. Ordered into active service on 1 May 1951. Inactivated on 25 Jun 1951.

Redesignated 87th Troop Carrier Group (Medium) and allotted to the reserve. Activated on 15 Jun 1952. Inactivated on 1 Feb 1953.

(This group is not related to an 87th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) that was constituted on 13 Jan 1942; activated at Selfridge Field by Third AF on 10 Feb 1942; assigned the 304th, 305th, and 306th squadrons; and disbanded a few days later in order to bring AAF within the authorized number of pursuit groups.)

Squadrons. 450th: 1943-1944. 535th: 1943-1944; 1949-1951; 1952-1953. 536th: 1943-1944; 1952-1953. 537th: 1943-1944; 1952-1953.

Stations. Richmond AAB, Va, 1 Oct 1943; Camp Springs AAFld, Md, 21 Jan 10 Apr 1944. Bergstrom AFB, Tex, 27 Jun 1949-25 Jun 1951. Atterbury AFB, Ind, 15 Jun 1952-1 Feb 1953.

Commanders. Lt Col Robert N Maupin, Oct 1943-1944.

Campaigns. None.

Decorations. None.

Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986